Police Bust Kidnapping Syndicate In PH

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two men linked to a criminal syndicate that lured, kidnapped, and robbed women working as “run girls” in Port Harcourt hotels.

The suspects, 27-year-old Albert Koko-Ete Hanson and 18-year-old Wisdom Okon from Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, were apprehended after victims reported the crimes to hotel security.

One of the victims, simply identified as Faith, told the police that she was invited to a hotel under the pretense of a client request and was led to a two-bedroom apartment where the suspects were staying.

She said the suspects showed her a photograph of another woman, whom they claimed was owing them N5 million, and demanded her phone password to access her bank account. Her phone was seized, though she had no money in her account.

Faith also alleged that another female victim had already been tied and blindfolded in a bathroom, and both were later stripped and sexually assaulted, with threats of organ harvesting reportedly made by the suspects.

It was learnt that a third victim alerted friends in the hotel via text message while the suspects tried to access her bank app. The quick action of the hotel security team led to the rescue of all the three victims.

The prime suspect, Albert Koko-Ete, reportedly confessed to the crimes and revealed that he had been operating the syndicate for six years, earning over N18 million naira.

Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, warned young women against engaging in prostitution, citing the high risks involved.

Iringe-Koko advised women to acquire skills and seek legitimate means of income, revealing that the syndicate specifically targeted women with high-end devices such as iPhone 15 and above.

The Police confirmed that the suspects’ method involved identifying women they could abduct to extort money from them or their relatives.

The Police said the suspects remain in custody and will be arraigned in court once investigations are complete.

The Command reiterated its commitment to protecting citizens and dismantling criminal networks preying on vulnerable individuals.

King Onunwor